Today, terms such as Agroecology seem more normal. Three decades ago, the possibility to set up a cooperative to promote sustainable agriculture sustained by the community itself, could confuse more than one. However, in the case of Cooperativa El Brot, based in Reus (Tarragona), things were simpler than it at first sight might seem. Thus explains Carme Pagès, President of the same: "Initially had concern for the existence and proximity of the petrochemical Tarragona and the Vandellòs nuclear power plant." The need to eat healthy and fresh food area, basically Reus and Camp de Tarragona, began thinking about how optimize transportation, to information circular possible producers and suppliers began to organize informative talks about agroecología…And so, with the help of people who trusted, one thing led to another... "." In 1987, the Brot was formalized as a cooperative, at the legal level, although its origins go back to the year 1979. The road that started the cooperative, the first of its kind in Spain, followed him other people's organizations consumers of organic products, such as El Rebost SCCL (Girona) and Germinal SCCL (Barcelona). Since then, the production, distribution and consumption of products of agro-ecological farming has acquired greater proportions, even in the area of influence of the Brot. "In the central market Reus there two stops where they sell food bioecológicos." We don't like to talk about competition. "What interests us is that this consumption spread and disseminated and, of course, contribute to maintaining the proximity of the territory by facilitating access to local products," explains Carme Pagès.

As we move through the corridors of the cooperative, its Chairperson, Carme Pagès, us like the keys of a project that involved with other members, on a voluntary basis, and combines with other occupations. "I would say that the strong point of the Brot remain food products, those daily consumer." "At the moment, both partners, more than one hundred today, like any client who happens by our establishment, although at a lower price for the first, you can choose between many different articles, footwear, cosmetics and household cleaning". In this regard, draws attention marketing of ecological detergents and even foods such as flour or vegetables in bulk, or the carafes of Virgin olive oil extra large format arbequina. "Initially, we vendíamos mainly vegetables, fruit and vegetable quality ecobiológica, we now renew twice a week." "At the moment, the food that we sell in bulk (grain, rice, flour) are more output are among our customers".

In the 96 m², the cooperative the Brot markets from fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, vegetables, eggs and dairy), stored in refrigerated displays or in a camera specifically for horticultural goods, dry goods (tubers, legumes, cereals, fruit drinks and dry) and, finally, a wide range of elaborate that includes juices, oils, preserves, jams, chocolate, coffee, tea, cheese, simmered, soup pastebiscuits, flour and bread. "A year and a half ago, we asked for a few credits valued at 100,000 euros to several reforms in the local." We installed two cameras which have at present, one to preserve flour, vegetables and products in bulk and the other for fruits and vegetables. "The total of the budget, we invest 70,000 in both chambers."

With its activity, since the Brot support selective development of organic farming, without GMOs, facilitating the conversion to this type of production and closer collaboration between producers and consumers, preferably of the Camp de Tarragona and Reus season productions. A purpose that strengthens the cohesion and food sovereignty in its scope. Yet they also resort to suppliers of the rest of Catalonia and even some parts of the country. But their mission does not end here. In the words of Carme Pagès, from the cooperative urges "critical" food consumption: "Beyond will offer products without herbicides, a zero pollution." We are looking for are nearby. It cannot be that you cost us more lettuce the transport itself. I.e., how much more local it chain better. And also that there should be as few middlemen as possible, so that everyone receives a fair price for what that produces. "Finally, we find the example and sell a varied range of products in bulk, with minimum packaging and in line with our philosophy."